At this moment, Steve neutralized a Hydra commando and confiscated a grenade from the fallen soldier. He threw it toward a cluster of Hydra operatives.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
In a matter of seconds, three grenades took out nine Hydra operatives.
…
Meanwhile-
Sam was maneuvering closer to another helicarrier using his Falcon flight suit. However, before he could successfully land, the ship's automated defense systems activated.
CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) and anti-aircraft guns opened fire on Sam with a barrage of bullets.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Ratatatat!
Luckily, Sam's small target profile allowed him to evade the attacks. Performing a cobra maneuver mid-air, he dodged the gunfire while communicating through his earpiece.
"Cap, I've run into some of those 'bad guys' you mentioned."
Steve, who had just taken out a squad of Hydra operatives, asked, "You okay?"
Sam responded while skillfully dodging another round of fire, "Still alive."
…
Charles Doyle, observing the action from the cloaked space, wasn't particularly interested in Sam's Falcon gear.
While it was a versatile and advanced personal flight system, Charles, who possessed natural flight capabilities, found it less convenient than his own abilities.
However, Selene was intrigued. Despite her enhanced abilities from her fused bloodlines—Alexander the Firstborn and the lycanthrope lineage—which had significantly amplified her strength, speed, durability, and longevity, she still lacked the ability to fly.
"Boss, I think this flight system is impressive. We could equip the base with some for aerial defense."
Charles glanced at Selene, understanding her interest. After all, the vampires in this world didn't transform into winged bats. He replied, "Find a way to acquire the design specs. We can have Ginny manufacture some later."
"I also invested in a company that's currently researching single-soldier flight systems. They should have results soon."
Considering Selene's dedication and her loyalty in reporting back even after Lorelei's attack, Charles added, "After this mission, I know of a place that can further enhance your abilities. Once you've gone through it, you won't need to envy flight capabilities anymore."
He recalled a location where Selene could undergo another significant power-up, potentially unlocking abilities akin to teleportation or super-speed.
It seemed that area hadn't been discovered during Kakashi's team's collection of blood cores—at least, not yet.
Selene, thrilled at the prospect of further empowerment, replied eagerly, "Thank you, Boss!"
…
Back at the council meeting-
Pierce observed the unfolding chaos aboard the helicarriers. Turning to the British council member, he asked, "Allow me to pose a question."
"If Pakistan invades Mumbai tomorrow, and you know for certain that they'll drag your daughters onto the football field for execution…"
As he spoke, Pierce handed the British council member a glass of champagne. Seeing the member accept it, Pierce continued, "And with the press of a button, you could stop all of it—would you press it?"
He then turned to the rest of the council, "And what about the rest of you?"
The British council member glared at Pierce and replied, "I don't need your button."
Then, without hesitation, he flung the glass of champagne directly at Pierce.
Smash!
Pierce, unfazed by the situation, smirked disdainfully. A nearby tactical operative promptly handed him a handgun.
Taking the weapon, Pierce aimed at the British council member, preparing to shoot.
In a split second, the American council member intervened, kicking the British member in the backside to push him out of harm's way.
He followed up by landing a solid punch on Pierce's face, then threw an electromagnetic dart at one of the tactical operatives. The dart hit its mark, instantly incapacitating the operative.
Turning swiftly, he moved to confront another attacker.
However, the opponent's speed rivaled that of Natasha Romanoff's, and a quick counter-kick to the attacking fist sent Natasha stumbling back several steps.
Feeling the power behind the strike, Natasha quickly realized the opponent had been injected with a physical enhancement serum.
At that moment, two more tactical operatives stepped forward from behind Pierce, clearly prepared to gang up on Natasha.
Taking in the scene, Natasha quickly deduced that all three of them were likely serum-enhanced agents. The one she had just taken down might have been the only ordinary human among them.
Pierce adjusted his neck with a slight twist and remarked, "This kind of strength isn't something an ordinary person can achieve. Am I right, Natasha?"
Seeing that Pierce was unaffected, Natasha immediately understood he must have injected himself with the enhancement serum as well.
A high-ranking official who never goes on the field—what a cowardly but well-prepared man, she thought.
Natasha removed her headpiece and wiped away the static disguise from her face, revealing her true identity, "So, you figured it out."
Pierce smirked and replied, "Captain's here. Sam, the retired guy, is here too. There's no way you wouldn't show up."
He then turned to the three enhanced agents and ordered, "Take her down!"
The trio launched their attack immediately.